I would be interested in comments from those who are in the KNOW concerning aluminized steel exhaust systems VS stainless steel. I see adds for aluminized steel systems that say: "lifetime warranty".. wow! How can this be?

How long can I expect this system to last on my 2000 Dodge cummins 24V?..

If I purchase this alumniized stuff, am I going to buy another one in two years or something?

Hmmm.... HELP!

Dieselthunder00

 

For me the MBRP T409 stainless system was cheaper than any of the Aluminized systems around here. And that is including shipping to my place!!! If the stock pipes lasted for almost 10 years, then this system should outlast me.

I got it from PDR, so you can go there for pricing, but the exhaust shops around here wanted close to $1000 for an aluminized system installed and when I asked about stainless... well their eyes turned into money signs...LOL... They only handled Magnaflow and it was $1500 for a single system!!! I told them "Heck I can get a set of cool-duals in stainless from MBRP for way less than that!! Shipped!!!"

Do some shopping, but I found the MBRP to be the best for value and install/fit... IMHO of course...

 

Thanks for your help... I should have done a search first as well... Lot of stuff on this site. Just got on today and overlooked the search feature. I'll have to now search for stainless! (or do this all over again in a few years)
Thanks again!
dieselthunder00

 

factory exhaust is mild stainless...

Aluminized will last for years... my 5" system is 3yrs old and looks brand new

 

Mine is 4 yrs old and looks good.

 

also depend on where you live. Here in Michigan the salty roads make the stainless worth the extra cost.

Randy

 

Like earlier mentioned, 409 is just about what comes on the truck from the factory, it still has iron in the mixture, thats where the rust will attack...I mean attach. A 304 system is entirely nickel and chromium...NO IRON which means no rust. With the exception of the welded hangers a 304 system will most likely last forever, that is why they can offer a lifetime warranty. The 409 (5 year warranty on the average)is the all around best value for the money.

 

I guess thats the point I was making, I wasn't in the market for a true stainless system and if I could get a mild stainless system for the same bucks or less than an aluminized pipe, then why not!!!

I was just surprised at the markup the local exhaust shops put in their pockets over what the performance shops have that advertise here.

The sound of the MBRP is pretty nice too..

 

I've been running an MBRP 409 system for over 1 year and it looks like crap. Rust already showing up.

I wish I had spent the extra $$ for the 304.

 

yeah, if you're gonna do it, go 304

otherwise, I think I'd rather have aluminized than 409. at least it'll look good longer. diesels don't have water in the exhaust, so they don't rust from the inside out like gassers. if you don't have road salt, it'll last a LONG time

 

I got a 4" system online , shipped to my door for $310.00,
put it on myself and drove to the local muffler shop and
had them weld it up for $35.00. 2 years old and still looks
new. It's aluminized and has no rust, but I also live in a
mild California climate.

 

I got my 5" alumanized system for $250 shipped. It has been on for a little over a year and still looks brand new. I thought that the pipe would at least have some surface rust after the first winter, but there is none. I am very happy

 

I'm happy with my 4" alumanized from Summit

 

Same here. Unless you have a LOT of salt on the roads, aluminized is MORE than adequate-- and under such salty conditions, 409 won't last.

If you NEED stainless, then get 304. Otherwise, aluminized is plenty good.

jh

 

BS!! 304 has a LOT of iron in it. It's 18/8 stainless (18% Chromium/ 8% nickel)

Gee, why is stainless called stainless STEEL if there's no iron in it?

*removes "HP upgrades" from personal list of vendors for lack of knowledge*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stainless_steel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AISI_steel_grades

JH